Dental device



Dec. 11, 1928. 1,694,636

H. E. BARKER DENTAL DEVI CE giled Dec. 1o, 1926 Patented Dec. ll, i928.

httitt FFEC.

DENTAL DEVICE.

Application filed December 10, 1926.

This invention relates to means for cleaning and polishing the teeth and also for inassaging the gums; having reference to a device Which can be readily attached to or removed from a suitable stem or holder, as, for example, the mandrel of a dentists hand piece. l

The object of my inventionl is to provide a simple, inexpensivel and eidcient device for the purpose mentioned, which device is intended to be discarded after once using, thus lessening the danger of infection.

rthe invention comprises a tubular body of soft yielding substance, such as rubber, Whereof one end is f rmed with elongated serrations, which present resilientspine-lille rubbing members, said body being adapted to be detachably applied to a holder, and thereby manipulated in a manner to cause the serrations to effect the cleaning of the teeth and also the massaging of the gums Without liability of injury to the tissues, 1

The invention also comprises suon a serrated tubular member having a body of rubbing material snugly encased therein and adjustable relatively to the serrations, whereby the serrations not only protect the vgums during the action of such material on the teeth, but also serve as a means to regulate the flexibility of the mate-rial.

The invention also comprises novel features of construction which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

ln the draivings- Figure 1 is a side elevationL of the device as applied to a mandrel, or similar holder.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the. same.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the serrated tubular body. l l

et is a. similar view of the tuft ot bristles, detacned.

Referring to the dra. vings, 10 designates a tube of yielding substance, such assoit rubber, having elongated spine-like resilient serrations 11 formed at and around one end. rlhis tube is adapted to be detachably applied to the extremity of a suitable stem or holder, as, for example, the mandretl ot a hand piece, so that the serrated portion of the tube is somewhat distant from the holder. The

' mandrel 12 is provided with a protuberance 13 about which the tube is sprung and thereby detachably held in place, the body of the tube extending Well along the mandrel to in- Serial N0. 153,76.

sure the protection of t-he mouth of the patient froin Contact With the metal.

Vthin they tube 10 is snugly held by the constriction of the tube, a compact body of rubbing material, preferably a tuft of bristiles 14, Which abuts against the. opposing eX- tremity o-f the mandrel, and which body may be nicely adjusted in relation to the basal ends of the serrations by the act of moving the tube lengthwise of the mandrel. The tube is sufficiently constrictive to hold the bristles rigid in their positions of adjustment.

To use the device for cleaning or polishing the teeth the serrated end of the tube is held with sufficient manual pressure against the teeth to efect the outward spreading of the serrations until the brush contacts With the labial surfaces of the teeth. The serrations, by their inherent elasticity, conform to the contour of the teethl and insinuate themselves into the crevices and interdental spaces, thereby contributing to the eciency of the cleansing operation, and also serving toi protect the gingivae from the frictional action of the bristles. By properly manipulating the device to effect the delicate pressure of the yielding spine-like serrations against the gums the latter can be eiliciently massaged Without liability of injury to the tissues.

The confined bristles 14 can be so adjusted in relation to the serrations that the former may be placed directly in Contact With the tissues if desired, and thus act thereon in conjunction With or independently of the serrations. Moreover, by varying the adjustment of the bristles Within the. length of the serrat-ions dierent degrees of stiness or ilexibility of the bristles can be attained to meet particular requirements.

lf desired dental floss may be contained Within the projecting end of the tube and saturated With a suitable cleansing or medicinal agent; or such agent, in paste or tablet form, may be contained in the tube. In either case the inner Wall of the tube is preferably coated With paran or other suitable substance in order to protect the rubber against any chemical action that may develop from the presence of the cleansing or medicinal ingredients.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a device embodying my invention may bereadily applied to or removed from one end of a stem, quill, or other manually operative 2. neeaee holder, and that When it is so applied the device may be eliieiently manipulated with roitary, longitudinal or horizontal motions as the condition of the teeth or gums under treatment may require.

Iolaim l. A dental device Comprising a tube ot soft resilient substance having resilient elongated spine-like serrations at and around one end thereof, vf'hieh 'forni massaging i'ingers, th-e opposite end oi1 said tube being adapted to be applied a suitable holder.

Q. A dental device comprising a tube of soft resilient substance having elongated spine-like serrations at and around one end thereof, the opposite end ol said tube being` adapted to be applied to a suitable holder, and a body of rubbing material eonlined within said tube and adjustable longitudinally thereof in relation to the serrations, whereby the degree of stiltness ol the rubbiing material can be varied.

3. A dental device comprising a rubber tube having elongated spine-like serrations at one end thereof, the opposite end of said tube being adapted to be applied to a suitable holder, and a-tu'tt of bristles snugly Convtined Within said tube and adjustable longitudinally thereof in relation to the serrations, whereby the deOree of stiii'ness of the bristles may be varied.

t. A dental device comprising a tube having a yielding rubbing end portion, and a tutt oi bristles snugly confined Within said tube and adjustable longitudinally of said tube in relation to the rubbing end portion, whereby the degree of stiiilness of the bristies may be varied, said tube being adapted to be applied to a suitable holder which is also arranged to lorm an abutment for the tui't bristles.

5. The combination with a mandrel having a retaining protuberanee, of a rubber tube i'litly eneasing said protuberanoe and eX- 't1-ending along the adjacent portion of the mandrel, .said tube projecting outward and having at and around its tree extremity elongated sp e-like tapered serrations whieh form massaging lingers. Y

(i. The eoinbin ation with a mandrel having a retaining protuberanee, of a rubber tube 'tightly eneasing the protuberanee and extending along the adjaeent portion of the mandrel, said tube projecting outward and haring at and around its tree extremity elongated spine-litre tapered serrations, and a tu'l't et bristles snugly eonned Within said tube and adjustable longitudinally thereof toga her with the mandrel in relation to the serrations whereby the degree of stiness of the bristles may be varied.

Signed at New York, in the County and State of New York this 80th day of November, A. D. 1926.

HORACE E. BARKER. 

